About Sacred Heart · Paonia, Colorado
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paonia, Colorado, is a small parish serving the North Fork Valley, including a mission church, St. Margaret Mary in Hotchkiss. Established in 1922, it reflects the region’s Catholic history dating back to Spanish explorers in the 1770s and early American settlers in the 1880s. The parish offers weekend and weekday Masses, Confession, Adoration, and various ministries, with a current pastor, Fr. Wojciech Pelczarski, and a dedicated staff supporting parish life.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Wojciech Pelczarski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Denver
Why belong here
Join a close-knit community rooted in history, offering regular Masses, Confession, Adoration, and active ministries like Faith Formation and Liturgy. The parish supports spiritual growth through weekly bulletins, Scripture study, and outreach to families and individuals seeking a welcoming Catholic home.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
- by appointment
Adoration times
- First Sunday of each month after Mass at Sacred Heart
- First Saturday of select months at Sacred Heart (see events page)
Parish History
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paonia, Colorado, is a small parish serving the North Fork Valley, including a mission church, St. Margaret Mary in Hotchkiss. Established in 1922, it reflects the region’s Catholic history dating back to Spanish explorers in the 1770s and early American settlers in the 1880s. The first parish in the North Fork Valley was established in 1922. Before that, Catholics in the area were served by priests from larger communities like Montrose, Silverton, and Ouray. The first church was built in Lazear in 1908–1909, later replaced by the current Sacred Heart Church in Paonia. The parish also includes St. Margaret Mary Church in Hotchkiss, which serves as a mission. The land for Sacred Heart was acquired by William A. Clark in 1890, and for St. Margaret Mary by Monett Hotchkiss in 1888.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation is offered at both Sacred Heart and St. Margaret Mary churches, with dedicated staff including Julie Meiners and Kathy Pobrik. Programs are designed for all ages and include catechesis, sacramental preparation, and Scripture study.
Ministries
The parish offers a variety of ministries including Liturgy, Finance, Maintenance, Bulletin Editing, and Faith Formation. Staff members include Dave Hurr (Parish Manager), Kathy Pobrik (Office and Faith Formation), Celeste Waske (Finance), Diane Sylvain (Bulletin Editor), and Phyllis Becktell (Liturgist).
Sacraments
The parish offers the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Reconciliation (Confession). Mass is celebrated weekly, with weekday and weekend services. Adoration is held monthly.